Season Five Premiere Is Most Watched ‘Mad Men’ Episode Ever

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Note: The 1.6 million (rounded) adults 18-49 for the initial 9pm airing translates to a ~1.25 adults 18-49 rating. We’ll get an unrounded number for our Sunday cable post out tomorrow.

via press release:

SEASON FIVE PREMIERE IS MOST WATCHED

“MAD MEN” EPISODE EVER

PREMIERE FOR CABLE’S MOST UPSCALE DRAMA GARNERS 3.5 MILLION VIEWERS

UP +21% OVER SEASON FOUR PREMIERE

2.5 HH RATING, 1.7 MILLION ADULTS 25-54

New York, NY – March 26, 2012 –Last night, AMC debuted season five of “Mad Men” with a two-hour premiere, which resulted in record ratings making it the most watched episode ever from the series. From 9pm-11pm EST, the network attracted a 2.5 HH rating delivering 3.5 million viewers. This marks a +21% growth from season four’s premiere. Among the core demo of Adults 25-54, “Mad Men” delivered 1.7 million marking an increase of +17% versus the season four premiere. “Mad Men” airs on AMC Sunday nights at 10pm ET/PT.

“Almost five years ago, with a focus on distinction and quality, AMC launched “Mad Men’ as the first series in its commitment to original scripted dramatic television. ‘Mad Men’ is the only cable drama to ever win the Emmy award for outstanding drama series four years in a row and the Golden Globe for best television drama series for three years in a row. ‘Mad Men’ set the bar high and we are incredibly proud that it continues to engage audiences looking for unexpected, unconventional and uncompromising television,” said Charlie Collier, AMC’s president. “For each of the five ‘Mad Men’ seasons Matthew Weiner and his team have crafted a beautifully told story and each season a larger audience has responded; a rare accomplishment. We couldn’t be more proud of this program, the brilliant writers, cast and crew, and the entire team on each side of the camera.”

Created by Emmy® and Golden Globe® winner Matthew Weiner and produced by Lionsgate, “Mad Men” made history last September as the first basic cable series ever to win the Emmy® for Outstanding Drama Series in four consecutive years. Set in 1960s New York, “Mad Men” is a sexy and provocative drama that follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. The season premiere episode is also available on amctv.com.